ES101 9/14/10
Ecology I
• If you’re using a laptop,
please sit in one of the first
three rows.
ES101 9/14/10
Ecology I
• If you need to setup
your clicker, press “GO”
(or “Ch”), then “4,” then
“1,” then “GO.” You
should see a green light.
See me after class if you
have questions.
ES101 9/14/10
To be sure your clicker is communicating with the
computer:
• when you answer a question, hold down the button
until you see the green light.
• if you see a green light, you are all set.
• see me at the end of class if you have questions.
Ecology I
ES101 9/14/10
• Bring your field guide to lab this week
• Dress for weather
• Long pants recommended
• No sandals or open-toed shoes
• 1st lab report due this week
Tutor – HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
Frangelica Odell
M&W, 6-8pm
MH201
4. Global Environmental Citizenship
• Global environmentalism is the recognition that
we share one environment
• Social justice issues included – sharing of
resources is critical for sustainable future
http://www.nirs.org/images/scvalley.jpg
http://www.ifad.org/photo/images/10190_d3s.jpg
In your opinion, the greatest global environmental
problem that humans face is
1.
2.
3.
4.
species extinctions
ozone depletion
global climate change
pollution in the oceans
39%
27%
23%
11%
1
2
3
4
ES Goal: Sustainability
= Ecological “balance” and human progress that
last over the long term
= meeting the needs of the present generation (of
all species) without compromising the ability of
future generations to meet their own needs
How to achieve Sustainability?
• Study the problem – scientific method, critical
thinking
• Understand the natural world
• Understand human impacts
• Learn how to change human behavior! Via laws,
persuasion, communication, business, arts, etc.!
Ecological Principles and Sustainability
Ecology=Study of the interactions
between organisms and the
non-living environment
These interactions create
Ecosystems which have:
1. Energy flows
2. Nutrient cycles
3. Evolutionary pathways
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/tfx/hydro/FAW/ManyGlacierSmall.png
Sustainability depends on
understanding these systems
Ecological Principles and Sustainability
Ecology=Study of the interactions
between organisms and the
non-living environment
Sustainability depends
on understanding these systems
Let’s start with organisms
Levels of Biological Organization
Levels of Biological Organization
1. individual organisms – single life form
2. populations of many indivs. of the same species
living in the same area
3. species
includes all organisms genetically similar enough
to reproduce and produce fertile offspring
An ecological community includes
1. all individuals of a single
species living in one
place
2. all interacting species
living in one place
3. all plants living in one
place
4. the biological
community and its
physical environment
67%
33%
0%
1
0%
2
3
4
An ecosystem includes
1. all individuals of a single
species living in one
place
2. all interacting species
living in one place
3. all plants living in one
place
4. the biological
community and its
physical environment
91%
7%
1
2%
2
0%
3
4
Levels of Biological Organization
3. species
includes all organisms genetically similar enough
to reproduce and produce fertile offspring
4. communities
all interacting species in one place
5. ecosystems
the biological community and its physical envt.
(all interacting living and non-living parts in one area)
(all interacting living and non-living parts in one area)
Biotic Factors
• living organisms and interactions btwn. organisms
that can affect species in the community
exs: predators, parasites, competition, etc.
Abiotic Factors
• non-living features of the environment
exs: water, nutrients, sunlight
Abiotic Factors
• non-living features of the environment
exs: water, nutrients, sunlight
• A key feature of any ecosystem is
species diversity –
the number of different kinds of species present
Why should we care about the number of species
in an ecosystem?
1. it’s important to know
if an ecosystem is
73%
losing species
(intelligent tinkering)
2. some species are
useful to humans
3. all species have the
right to exist
4. all of the above
11%
9%
7%
5. 1. and 2. only
0%
1
2
3
4
5
Why should we care about the number of species in
an ecosystem?
• will help us determine whether the ecosystem is
losing species in the future (intelligent tinkering)
• species may be of use to humans
• some believe all species have the right to exist
Terrestrial Biomes of the World
Terrestrial Biomes of
the World
Biome =
Dominant ecosystem
in a region
Type of biome depends on
temperature & precipitation
ADD FIG. 5.1
Tropical Rain Forest
• Highest
Precipitation
• Greatest Species
Diversity
Temperate Deciduous Forest
• Major biome in
eastern US
• Med. precipitation
• Very good soil
• Forest re-grows easily
• In general, greater
diversity than
forests further north
Temperate Deciduous Forest
• Major biome in
eastern US
• Med. precipitation
• Very good soil
• Forest re-grows easily
• In general, greater
diversity than
forests further north
Boreal Forest
• also called northern
coniferous forest
• Evergreen, conifer
trees
• also called northern
coniferous forest
• Evergreen, conifer
trees
• most common biome
in much of Canada
• in general, diversity is
lower than forests
further south
• most common biome
in most of Canada
• in general, diversity is
lower than forests
further south
Franklin Pierce is
located near the
boundary btwn
temperate deciduous
forest and northern
coniferous forest.